The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 15, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

10 Writers Who've Rescued the Most Cruelly Neglected Moments of History [SHOWING SLIDE 1 OF 10]

Blockbuster books about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and, of course, Abraham Lincoln seem to appear with such regularity that it makes you wonder if there’s anyone else in American history who’s achieved something significant. For the thrill of discovering America’s forgotten stories, check out the books on this week’s list. The writers of these titles have found stories that don’t lack for drama (spies, shipwreck and assassination are some of their topics); they’ve just found them after some intrepid sleuthing and revived abandoned moments of American history in the process.

Be the first to discover new talent!
Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our Pro Connect email alert.
Sign up here to receive your FREE alerts.